New York, NY, September 26, 2001 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed disappointment that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a school voucher case, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (Cleveland), that several lower courts, including the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, have deemed unconstitutional.

"We firmly believe that school voucher programs are unconstitutional," said Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The vast majority of students that receive government-funded vouchers under this program attend religious schools. Vouchers also divert needed funds from public school systems."

ADL, together with other civil rights and educational groups, plans to file an amicus brief in the Supreme Court urging the court to affirm the lower court ruling.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.